Disagreeing is not permission to disassociate! EL

WEDNESDAY’S WORD

Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Have you ever been in a discussion that suddenly got heated, but you were white-knuckling through it to keep your cool?  How do we throw some water on the heat of the words?

Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United.

So I was in the midst of such a conversation, but before I tell you the ending, let me give you some backdrop so you can understand the context: I had gone to a conference for women and had taken someone very special to me. After a sweet time of worship, the first speaker got up there and began sharing the purpose of the whole conference, to begin a movement wherein we would build others, serve and sow in a time of so much confusion, and she went on to state homosexuality as the biggest part of that confusion. It was like she had an arrow for this group/behavior and she was aiming for a bulls-eye!

Well, this person who was with me is in between that lifestyle, has lived that lifestyle for more than 20 years – as a result of being physically, emotionally and sexually abused. And that’s not to excuse her behavior/choice but to understand it. I dropped the gavel a long time ago on such controversial issues and let God deal with them for He is the only one who knows their heart. It’s not my battle or my call; my only call is to love them.

The words definitely hit her heart and not in a good way, but she exerted some self-control. She said she knew to take what she could from the speaker(s) and to leave the rest on the floor. I breathed a sigh of relief, until on break she brought it up and began to get pretty angry about it. In fact, the more she talked about it, the madder she got!

To make a long story short, on the last day of the conference I posted something positive on Facebook about it, and tagged the speaker who had spoken out so vehemently about this lifestyle. I said nothing about that; I focused on what was good, the things I had taken from the conference.

The next day I was shopping with my BFF and I got a phone call from the one I had taken to the conference. She wanted me to help her understand why I would post “such nice things” about the conference when I didn’t agree with her.

I shared that I didn’t disagree with everything she had said, but if I were ever given a chance to speak into her life about this particular subject and give her thoughts to help her think twice about casting judgment so righteously, would she listen to me if I bashed her on social media?

“Well, that’s true,” she acceded…but not for long. Within minutes she got herself all worked up again – my friend could hear her as we were in line waiting to pay for our stuff – and I literally had to ask her to lower her voice as eyes began turning in my direction.

She said, “But you are guilty by association,” to which I asked her what she meant. “You shouldn’t alienate any group of people from God by being like that. You need to disassociate yourself.”

God intervened in such a powerful way by giving me these words: “We are called to be salt to the world, to be light. Just because I don’t agree with her doesn’t mean I get to disassociate with her.”
Silence…

“Hey, it’s my turn to pay so I’ll call you back later.”

It felt so good to not only say those words but to live by those words!

I pray they give you something to think about and help you thru your next difficult conversation.

Love,

Kim-Evinda

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

When I say “elephant in the room,” what’s your first thought?

This phrase originated in the early ‘50s and is a metaphor for an obvious truth that is either being ignored or going unaddressed. This expression also applies to an obvious problem or risk no one wants to discuss.

All kidding aside, life wasn’t meant to be walking around elephants in the room!

I hope you’ll join us in one of our locations

Love,

Kim-Evinda

The more we talk about a problem/conflict, the bigger it gets! EL

Monday’s Mantra

Proverbs26:20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

Have you ever said you’ve forgiven someone for an offense only to find that the next time that anything that even remotely reminds you of it, resentment, re-ignites the flame of un-forgiveness?

Thanks for joining me for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Monday’s Mantra with Trench Classes United.

What about when you’re going through challenging circumstances? When something comes up that reminds you of your current challenging circumstance and frustration takes the reins of your thoughts and runs like a champion thoroughbred, do you ever realize that before you know it, everyone knows about it? And suddenly that little hill of a trial becomes a mountain!

The truth is that the more we talk about a problem or a conflict, the bigger it gets!

Looking at the first line of Proverbs 26:20 which says “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out…” think about it; can a fire burn without wood? Of course not! This part of this instruction is telling us to minimize what we tend to maximize, and the beauty of this word is that it can be applied to conflicts and circumstances!
Do we add wood to the conflict by having the last word? Or to the circumstance by telling everyone we see of our struggle?

Perhaps it’s time we practice minimizing what we’ve maximized that He may become larger than it all!

Thoughtfully,

Kim-Evinda

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

“If you are depressed, you are living in the past; if you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present,” or as I say, in your moment! ^{Lao Tzu}

Join us to learn how to live in the moments and love healthier…coming to a trench near you!

Monday mornings: Yucaipa

Monday evenings: Beaumont; Yucaipa

Wednesday evenings: Redlands/Loma Linda

Thursday evenings: Redlands, San Bernardino

Click on the picture below for more information

Looking forward to meeting you

Kim-Evinda

Life is a race which includes helping others finish! EL

Faith Filled Friday

I just love the simplicity of Jenn’s blogs and I know you will too! Come on in and thanks for joining us for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith Filled Friday with Trench Classes United.

I saw this bumper sticker: “If you see me on the ground, please drag me across the finish line.”

I am assuming this person was a marathoner. At first, I chuckled because that would be me if I attempted to run a marathon. :) There's a bigger thought here however.

As some of you know, I am big on sharing my journey, the ups and downs, even my struggles with faith. I believe in being real, authentic. I am incredibly grateful for the prayers others send up, for the inspiration I find everywhere, and the family/friends who talk me off the proverbial ledge. I like to think I return that favor when needed.

The Bible says in Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

This is what we are here for. This is what we go through struggles for. So that in turn we can be of help and encouragement to a fellow runner.

Life is like a race; sometimes one of us lags behind, maybe even lays on the ground until another comes along and “pulls us towards or over the finish line.”

I’ll do it for you; will you do it for others?

Thoughtfully,

Jenn

Thursday’s Trench Truth

It’s okay to not always be okay, but wouldn’t it be great to feel great even when life is hard?

Learning how to live fueled by hope even when life is trying to knock us down, coming to a trench near you…

Hope to see you there

God talks to you in your language EL

Wednesday’s Word

Have you ever received a message that you know that you know it was from God? Did you know He talks to you in your own language?

Thanks for joining me for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United.

Last week I shared some unexpected news I received after a 3D mammogram and another very specific mammogram to reveal the need for a biopsy but what I didn’t share with you is a very specific message I received in the most unexpected place and time.

We were making our way back to the boating dock after a great day on the lake. For the most part, I had left my news at home, but every now and then, it would weigh in on my thoughts like an anchor holding a boat in one place while bouncing up and down, side to side in response to the passing boaters. 

I was up front with one of my friends, and I remember sharing my fears about the biopsy, still in disbelief that I have to have it done but then again, I didn’t linger there long.

I relaxed in the bow of the boat, listening to the steady sound of the engine on the water, the music of the waves splashing as we crashed over them, and Pandora blaring Country music which had been playing the entire time…until all of a sudden, I’m singing the words to a Christian song, and at the same time, sort of puzzled by the change in genre but nevertheless I kept singing.

When the solid ground is falling out from underneath my feet
Between the black skies, and my red eyes, I can barely see
When I realize I've been sold out by my friends and my family
I can feel the rain reminding me
In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
In the middle of the war, You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me
In the eye of the storm

As the words came out of my mouth, their meaning warmed my soul and tears ran down my face, the wind drying them almost as fast as they fell.

I continued to sing along to this song I hadn’t heard in a very long time

When my hopes and dreams are far from me

And I'm runnin' out of faith
I see the future I picture slowly fade away
And when the tears of pain and heartache
Are pouring…

In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
In the middle of the war, You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me
In the eye of the storm

As soon as the song finished, Pandora returned to the Country genre and my girlfriend looked at me, I looked at her, and I’ll never, ever forget her affirmation: If that wasn’t God talking to you, girl, I don’t know what was!

My hope is that I’ll have only one more blog to write about this storm, sharing how I get thru the biopsy and thereafter receive positive results…but only He knows when my next storm will come and He promises to be there with me.

I pray that you take time to listen to God speaking to you, for you and about you

Love,

Kim-Evinda

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Why is it not okay to not always be okay? If you are experiencing a low because of a setback, join us for a comeback and learn how to live your life fueled with hope, loving healthier and laughing more.

Coming to a trench near you

Join us to learn how to have healthy relational expectations and live a life fueled by hope!

Thursday’s Trench Truth

What do you do when others let you down? Do you fall down or rise above the disappointment? Join us to learn how to have healthy relational expectations and live a life fueled by hope!

Monday: Yucaipa/ Beaumont

Tuesday: Yucaipa

Wednesday: Redlands

Thursday: Redlands/ San Bernardino/ Upland

Let us know which location you’re interested in and we’ll contact you with all the trench info

Let’s do this!
Kim-Evinda

Join us to learn how to live fueled by hope

 Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Join us to learn how to live fueled by hope, experience a comeback when you have a setback. Coming to a trench near you…

Monday: Yucaipa/ Beaumont

Tuesday: Yucaipa

Wednesday: Redlands

Thursday: Redlands/ San Bernardino/ Upland

Let us know which location you’re interested in and we’ll contact you with all the trench info

Looking forward to seeing you…

Kim-Evinda

To know God is to experience His goodness with our Soul EL

Power Friday

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get it; if I had a penny for every time I’ve said that to confirm I understood what was being said, I’d be a billionaire!

Thanks for joining me for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Power Friday with Trench Classes United.

Some of us have heard the term yada before, yada, yada, yada…and we’ve laughed at ourselves and with others about that term…BUT we probably didn’t really “know” what it meant. See in Hebrew, that word yada translates to “know,” and one of the definitions for this translation is: to experience with your inner being.

Well that puts knowing on a whole different level, huh! So with that understanding here’s today’s power thought:
We can’t really trust God unless we “know” Him, experience Him with our soul!

May you press in and get to know the One who loves you more than anyone or anything that you may experience Him with and in your soul!
Love,

Kim-Evinda

Are you in a soul desert? Time for refreshing.

 Faith Filled Friday

Thanks for joining us for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith Filled Friday with Trench Classes United. Have you ever stopped to examine your heart and your time you spend with Abba? Are you thirsting for more of the Lord?  How great it is that we are thirsting for Him because we know He is the only one who can quench our thirst. Oh, Be Still, My Soul!

Psalm 63:1 (NLT):  “Oh, God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you;  my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.”

Do you find yourself like me, where days fly by and it’s the end of the week before you know it? When I looked back at my week, I found myself in somewhat of a desert as a result of not taking time to be still before the Lord. Sometimes setting that time aside is more difficult than other times.

 Do you take the time to be still before the Lord? It’s a difficult task in our fast-paced world. I’m so grateful for the knocks and whispers from the Lord, gentle reminders and requests telling me He wants to spend time with me. But my flesh has been so tired these past few weeks, so much so that my need for more sleep has been canceling my appointments with my Abba.

Recently I saw this question: "Am I allowing myself to be interrupted by God?" ^{Dietrich Bonhoffer}

WOW! This quote spoke volumes to my heart. I cried out to the Lord, “Oh, please, interrupt me.

Interrupt me that I might spend time at Your feet, quietly sitting and letting all my days, plans, and list of things to do fall away. This is what refreshes the soul and it is when I am refreshed that I can dare to research my soul:

Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT) Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

 Can you relate to what I’ve shared? If so, please take this time to pray with me, that we may refresh our souls:

Jesus, forgive us for getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of our lives.  Help us to set aside time just for You so that we can be refreshed and revived by You daily. Show us the areas in our heart that we need to repent for and fix our eyes on you. Jesus, discipline us to set aside time with you. Oh Lord, help us to put you before ourselves. Thank you for hearing our prayer and being ever so faithful to forgive us.  Oh what a gracious God we serve. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a great weekend,

Ashley

Spending time with God is a rhythm, not a requirement! MF

 Thursday’s Trench Truth

Thought to ponder: You are as close to God as YOU choose to be!
Join us for more encouragement for your soul at www.facebook.com/trenchclassesunited

Need a break away from the seriousness of life? Join us for a fundraiser to continue the mission of Trench Classes United, Helping others live transparently, love healthier & laugh more

Click on the image below to buy Tickets NOW!

Hope to see you there!
Kim-Evinda

Hungry for approval, acceptance & accolades? Return to the Bread of life!

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Join us at www.facebook.com/trenchclassesunited for more encouragement for the soul

Oh, and by the way, need a night out? Join us for A Night of Laughter with Squeaky Clean Comedy…a fundraiser to continue the mission of Trench Classes United, Helping others live transparently, love healthier & laugh more

click the picture above to buy tickets now!

Hope to see you there!

Kim-Evinda

Negative habits & emotions have a lot in common with ants

Monday’s Mantra

Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Monday’s Mantra with Trench Classes United. You’re in for a treat with Jenn’s thoughts today! Enjoy.

Ants...they have got to be one of nature's most annoying insects. J L J  Just when I think I've won the battle, I'll find a new line marching along, mindless to my eyes on them as they continue on with their business. Everywhere I turn, there they are: Cupboards, the sink, the fridge handle, stove top, an opened bag of chips, all things kitchen. But…yes, but, they were even on the bathroom rug. Imagine my dismay when I stepped on it and discovered that it was covered with ants!

Strategically and consistently placing ant poison is the only thing that will stop them in their tracks.

You have to hand it to them; they are persistent, hard-working, and definitely sneaky.

Kind of like those habits that are hard to change: Fear, discouragement, doubt, anger, despair…oh can’t those things behave just like ants, sneaking in when least expected? One day it seems I've won, and the next, there's that familiar line of reactions or negative emotions making their way into my heart. 

Prayer, praise and meditating on the hope God gives: this is the only defense against these most annoying issues of the heart, daily, hourly, and sometimes by the minute. It's the only thing that stops human nature in its tracks.

Learning and unlearning…

Jenn

“You are a solution to a God problem.”

FAITH FILLED FRIDAY

It’s Faith-Filled Friday with special guest Jennifer Wyatt! Grab your coffee and your strand of faith for some great knot-tying in and for your faith! Jennifer has a thought-provoking question to ask us…and an answer, her answer to that same question! Come on in for a few!

How would it change your mindset if you suddenly realized that you were born to solve a problem? 

When I was young I would read history books or stories of people who did great things and marvel at what they were able to accomplish.  If only I could do great things.  If only I had a special purpose in life.  That hope was tossed aside by the realities of my life: Parents who often worked late and weren’t home, bullies at school, an abusive husband.  I have often felt unworthy, not good enough and that having a purpose in life was for someone else and not me. 

Then one day I heard… “You are a solution to a God problem.”  It wasn’t a voice from on high but from the pulpit. I had just moved to Florida and it was the second or third time attending this church.  The pastor went on to explain that all of us were created to solve a “God problem.”  Every hard situation, every joy was meant to fulfill that purpose. 

Every person is born with purpose, to solve a God problem.

“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.” (Proverbs 20:5)

All people are made in the image of God. Each of us are born with a purpose and calling that we can discover… or completely miss. The influence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers gives us insight to His purposes for us.

I have an assignment from God specifically for me.  Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

This truth opened up a world of hope and a resolve to discover that plan and achieve it.   I no longer feel like someone tossed about by my experiences.  I feel free to walk out what God has called me to do.

How about you?  Do you feel bound up by the past and/or how you view yourself?  Do you believe God has a special assignment for you?  He does, and He is waiting for you to accept it.

Jennifer 

No matter what your ‘Goliath’ is, the battle belongs to the Lord. Let Go! EL

 WEDNESDAY’S WORD

No matter how many times you’ve read a scripture, a portion of scripture with a story in it, or an entire chapter, as long as you invite Him into the reading, you will get something new every single time!

Thanks for joining me for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word. I’m so excited to share today’s blog with you.

So I have been studying the books of 1^st and 2^nd Samuel…for quite some time. In fact, our home group has just finished those books after eight months! But I am doing an extra in-depth study on these two books so I asked my husband to join me the other morning during our coffee hour together. Let’s just say that he wanted to read something else as he felt he’d gotten enough out of the many stories within those books. I lovingly reminded him that there was something new for us in it that morning, and then proceeded to confirm that with prayer.

I wasn’t disappointed!

In 1stSamuel 17, the Philistines were preparing to go into battle with the Children of Israel and literally cremate them, take them all out. They just knew they were going to win because they had what the other side didn’t: a real live giant who stood well over 9.5 feet! His name was Goliath. Not only was he tall, but he was armed to the hilt. I mean, there was nothing that was going to penetrate this guy’s protection on his body. 

Every day for 40 days, this giant of a dude would come to the edge of the mountain they were camped on and cry out to the army on the other side – a valley separated them – and taunt them, inviting them to choose one man for battle that he could slay and take the Children of Israel to be the servants of the Philistines. Oh, the prideful parading for power that is displayed in the first 16 verses.

Well, the Israelite's were terrified, and I do mean terrified. And if you’ve ever been in a panic situation, you know that you don’t always think the most clear when you’re trembling with fear. To make a long story short about how David was chosen as the man to fight Goliath – when he really was a boy – David volunteered!

I can just imagine the Israelites’ first reaction of chocking down laughter in the midst of their terror at the thought of a young shepherd boy volunteering to slay this giant and save them. Well, the fact that they allowed him to go thru with it proves the depth of their terror. They were willing to try anything. Oh, how I would have loved to have been a fly in their heads to know their thoughts.

They get David ready for battle by weighing the little guy down with a bunch of armor and garb but he, being wise, said heck no, I’m not used to this, so he took it all off and went and got his sling-shot and five stones. Now they’re really laughing…no, not really. I think they were just so shocked, and at this point, just hoping for a miracle.

Imagine Goliath’s response when David is brought forth as the guy he’s going to fight! Wouldn’t you have loved to have seen the look on his face?  

Goliath proceeds to taunt David, and I mean taunt him with some pretty harsh insults that would truly trouble most of us, even with the strongest of faith. Goliath taunted and taunted and David only had one response: “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel whom you have defied.”

Then David proceeds to give a very detailed description of what he was going to do to him, ending with a reminder that the battle belongs to the Lord.

It was as if David didn’t even hear the insults of this giant, nor did he look at Goliath’s size, his armor or feed into his attitude. David was focused on his God whom he knew would not fail him and as Goliath came at him, David ran toward him, eager to slay this giant.

Friends, sometimes we can be our own Goliath! What “Goliath” is taunting you and whispering in your ear lies of being no good, or lies of giving into your weakness that prevents you from a victorious life?  Do you stop to listen, or do you just move forward, one foot at a time, armed with a faith that cannot be broken or taken?

That morning with my husband, I was so excited for this different revelation, this truth that all of us go thru periods with a Goliath of sorts and if we are armed with our faith, filled with our portions of scripture, walking with Him, we will slay our giants, no matter how big!
Have a Wonderful Wednesday,

Love,

Kim-Evinda

What you put into your marriage is what you’ll get out of it! EL

Monday’s Mantra

Thanks for joining us for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Monday’s Mantra with Trench Classes United. I’m so excited to introduce you to a guest today. Her name is Julie Held and I saw this post on F.B. last week and asked if she wouldn’t mind sharing it with you today. So enjoy this perspective from Julie

As I was driving home today I saw seven posted signs along the road that said: “How to get a cheap divorce.” (Now before you stop reading this, this has no condemnation to anyone who’s gone through a divorce.) But my heart was grabbed and I thought, you never see the world putting out signs of “Come and get help for your marriage”; -- at least I’ve never seen that.

I was compelled to encourage the marriages out there to be anchored not in each other, but in Christ alone. That is the only firm foundation. All other ground is sinking sand.

When I look at this picture of my husband and me, I feel it’s so symbolic. Just imagine for a moment that instant when you said “ I DO.” In that moment, God gave your marriage a bag. And you don’t know what “surprises” are inside. It’s a journey map of twists and turns as you follow God together; the good times, the joys, the sorrows and pain, the dreams and hopes. Then there is one thing in that bag He gives you both and it’s His Word because as the scriptures say, “Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light unto my path.”

I don’t know where you might be in your marriage; it might be fantastic or it might be hanging on for dear life. Whatever season you are currently in, reach into your bag and grab the one thing that will help you keep your eyes on God. Read your Bible daily and pray together. Seek God. Bring your burdens and your thanksgiving to Him. Anchor yourself, and your marriage in Christ and watch God move mountains and your marriage will be a testimony of His great LOVE.  

Julie Held

#loveisneverwasted #heldheartkeys #julesanchor

Faith in a fiery trial stirs His power and prevents us from getting burned. EL

 Faith Filled Friday

Good morning coffee hour friends, today we will be looking at one of my favorite Bible stories in Daniel 3: 14-30.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not submit to King Nebuchadnezzar’s orders to serve and worship his gods. This made King Nebuchadnezzar furious and so outraged that he ordered his men to heat the fiery furnace seven times more than it had been. The furnace’s heat was so intense that it burned and killed the men who were told to put Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.

This, however, did not frighten either of the three or convince them to change their minds. Read with me.... 

Daniel3:16-17(ESV) ¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷ If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

These men had great faith in our God. They believed without a shadow of a doubt that they would be delivered; they didn't know how, but the trusted God nonetheless to deliver them. WOW!

As we read on, we see that they were put into the fierce fire and that King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished to see four men walking in the fire and not three. He even had to question his men; we threw three men into the fire, right? In awe and amazement, he called them to come out of the fire.

Read with me....

Daniel 3:26 (ESV) ²⁶ Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.

Look at what King Nebuchadnezzar said,  “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!

These three men had abounding faith in their God Most High, and by their faith, they showed this wretched king how great their God was.

I look at their great faith and pray that I to could have this great faith in my small circumstances. Their great circumstance is something we are unable to relate to, but their faith is something we can inspire to obtain. I know that we face tiny, small, medium, and large circumstances that require us to have great faith that God is for us and that no matter how tiny or how large the circumstance He will show up the same and with same great power no matter the size of our circumstance.

Remember beloveds, Satan is going to put many fires in front of us to discourage us from moving forward up the narrow and steep path God has set before us.  Let us stand tall as these three men did and soak in Gods truth and believe with great faith that God will pull us up from the pit we find ourselves stuck in. We are precious to Him; He knows our thoughts before we think them, He knows the number of hairs on our head, and He cherishes us and is desperately jealous for us. 

If you find yourself discouraged this week, then let us stand together in faith and confirm our faith by facing the fire in front us. God is with us in the fire and we will NOT get burned.

Love,

Ashley

Seeing and hearing much and responding with less is more maturity. EL

Wednesday’s Word

There is little to nothing more satisfying or sweeter than to watch the growth of an infant into a toddler, from a toddler to a teen and then from a teen to a young adult. And it’s not just the physical changes that we observe, but the level of maturity as well. But how is it we determine our own growth?
Thanks so much for joining me today for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United.

I was working with one of my favorite attorneys the other day; he’s brilliant…sometimes to a fault, and he admitted this when we were talking about the way he forms his questions as we were talking after the deposition.

But I get him; I can literally feel his mind going ahead of his mouth and what comes out sometimes are so many words. This is confirmed when the witness asks him to repeat his question and he looks to me to read it back! J J Praise God, every time I’ve been asked I’ve been able to read it back word for word. He’s a guy who speaks EVERYTHING he’s thinking…just about. I mean, he stores some thoughts up his sleeve for trial.

We both talked about how difficult it is for us to slow down in our talking, but even more difficult than that is slowing down enough to let others take their time with what they want to say.

This so reminds me of one of the biggest lessons I am still learning in ministry: just because we see something someone is doing, or hear something someone is saying doesn’t mean we get to say something! This is part of growing up spiritually and Proverbs 17:27 describes this level of maturity…in few words!
“He who has knowledge spares his words and a man of understanding is of calm spirit”!

So no matter what we are hearing or seeing, we can remain calm…and spare our words and even choose to say nothing at all.
Love,

Kim-Evinda